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Pollen vs. Nectar -Do you know the difference?Most of us talk about “pollinator plants” as if pollen and nectar are the ...
06/14/2026

Pollen vs. Nectar -Do you know the difference?
Most of us talk about “pollinator plants” as if pollen and nectar are the same thing — but they play very different roles in the garden. Understanding both helps you choose plants that truly support the buzzing, fluttering, crawling world that visits your yard.
**** Pollen: Tiny Grains With a Big Job ******
-Pollen grains arethe male part of a flower’s reproductive system.
Some plants self‑pollinate.
-Light pollen floats on the wind.
-Heavier, protein‑rich pollen sticks to insects… and feeds them too!
-Bees are famous for pollen transfer, but they’re not alone — ants, beetles, flies, and even spiders get in on the action. Orb‑weaver spiders even consume pollen when they eat their own webs. Nature wastes nothing.
**** Nectar: Sweet Fuel With a Purpose
-Nectar is a sugary liquid produced in special glands of flowers called nectaries.
It lures pollinators in — and while they sip, they brush against the flower’s reproductive parts, moving pollen where it needs to go.
**Bees turn nectar into honey
**Carnivorous plants use it to attract prey.
**Some plants even recruit “bodyguards” — like ants protecting passionflower vines from hungry caterpillars.

Why It Matters for Your Garden-Both pollen and nectar feed or attract a huge variety of species. When planning a pollinator garden, think about who you want to welcome:

• Butterflies Choose nectar‑rich blooms.
• Native bees & bumblebees Look for pollen‑heavy, non‑invasive natives.
• Predatory wasps They help control pests — plant species that support them.
Your garden becomes a living food web — and every plant choice shapes who shows up.
Plant with intention. Support the pollinators who support the world.

Tiny Terrors in Tall Grass: What You Need to Know About Ticks!Ticks may be small, but they’re mighty determined. These l...
06/13/2026

Tiny Terrors in Tall Grass: What You Need to Know About Ticks!

Ticks may be small, but they’re mighty determined. These little hitchhikers thrive in warm climates and love the same places we do—yards, trails, parks, and anywhere deer, dogs, mice, and other warm‑blooded friends wander.

A tick’s life has four stages—egg, larva, nymph, adult—and from larva on, each stage needs a blood meal to grow. That’s why they climb tall grass and shrubs, waiting patiently for the perfect host to brush by.

And while most ticks don’t carry disease, some can transmit illnesses like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Anaplasmosis, Ehrlichiosis, and the well‑known but often misunderstood Lyme disease.

- Protect yourself outdoors:

• Wear long sleeves and pants
• Treat clothing and gear with Permethrin
• Use insect repellent
• Stay on clear paths
• Do a full tick check at day’s end
• If you find a tick, save it in a sealed container in the freezer—just in case symptoms appear

A little caution keeps your adventures safe and bite‑free. 🌾💚

Let’s Talk Pests — Without the Pesticides! June is Pollinator Month, which makes it the perfect time to rethink how we c...
06/12/2026

Let’s Talk Pests — Without the Pesticides! June is Pollinator Month, which makes it the perfect time to rethink how we care for our gardens. The truth is: a thriving home garden doesn’t need pesticides — and skipping them is one of the most powerful ways to protect bees, butterflies, and all the beneficial insects that keep our ecosystems humming.
-Get the Facts About Pesticides

There’s a lot of confusion online about what pesticides do, how they work, and how they affect pollinators. Before you reach for a spray bottle, get grounded in real science. Understanding the basics helps you make safer, smarter choices for your garden and the creatures who depend on it.
-Talk to Your Landscaping Company
If you hire a landscaping service, ask about their w**d and pest management practices. Let them know you prefer non‑chemical or reduced‑risk methods. Your yard, your rules — and your pollinators will thank you.
-Check Your Fertilizer
Some fertilizers sneak in insecticides as a “two‑in‑one” product. Always read labels carefully, especially for turf fertilizers.
Organic fertilizers are usually the safest bet — and your local extension office can help you choose the right one for your soil and plants.
-Choose Lower‑Risk Treatments
If you must use a pesticide, go for the most targeted, reduced‑risk option available. Avoid broad “multi‑use” products that treat everything from w**ds to insects — they’re often the most harmful to pollinators.
Gentler options include:
• Insecticidal soap
• Horticultural oils
Even organic products can be harmful, so always apply with care.
-Time Your Application
Never apply insecticides when bees are active or when plants are blooming — including flowering w**ds. Residue on petals can be deadly. Timing is everything when it comes to protecting pollinators.

A pesticide‑free (or pesticide‑smart) garden is a pollinator‑safe garden.
Small choices add up — and your backyard can become a sanctuary.

Have you ever noticed a low, leafy “mystery plant” popping up around buildings, fences, or shaded garden edges? You migh...
06/10/2026

Have you ever noticed a low, leafy “mystery plant” popping up around buildings, fences, or shaded garden edges? You might be looking at Pennsylvania pellitory. Common name cucumber w**d, because it smells like cucumbers.
Pennsylvania Pellitory is generally considered a native urban w**d. It often shows up after soil disturbance and can quietly form colonies in lightly shaded areas, especially where competition is low. Despite its persistence, it’s not considered aggressively invasive—just a steady garden volunteer. It’s also in the nettle family, but unlike its relatives, it does not sting.
Leaves are thin and delicate—1–3 inches long, lance-shaped, toothless, and lightly hairy. They attach alternately along weak stems that may stand upright or sprawl. One of its key ID clues is the three distinct veins that radiate from the base of each leaf.
If you’ve seen it in your yard after clearing or planting, you’re not alone—many gardeners spot it for the first time after clearing a new area to plant.

June is National Pollinator Month — let’s plant with purpose and create a garden that buzzes with lifeJune invites us to...
06/09/2026

June is National Pollinator Month — let’s plant with purpose and create a garden that buzzes with life
June invites us to celebrate the tiny winged workers who keep our world blooming. Planning a pollinator garden isn’t just fun — it’s a powerful way to support bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, hummingbirds, and all the creatures that make our ecosystems thrive.

Here’s how to get started and set your space up for success:
-Know Your Native Plants
Native plants evolved right alongside our local pollinators, which makes them the perfect match. They’re naturally adapted to your region’s weather, soil, and pests — meaning less fuss for you and more nectar for them.
Check your regional native plant lists to find the best bloomers for your area.
-Right Plant, Right Place
Healthy plants = happy pollinators.
Match each plant to the conditions it loves:

If you’re gardening in containers, choose potting mixes that suit your plants or amend with sand, perlite, or pebbles to get the texture just right.
-Choose a Pollinator‑Friendly Nursery

Not all “pollinator‑friendly” labels tell the whole story. Some plants are treated with pesticides that can harm bees and butterflies.
Ask your nursery about their growing practices, or use trusted directories like native plant and milkw**d finders to source safe, chemical‑free plants.
-Why It Matters
By planting even a small patch of pollinator habitat at home, in a schoolyard, or in a community space, you become part of a growing movement to protect species in decline. Your garden becomes a refuge — a place where pollinators can feed, rest, and raise the next generation.
Let’s make June bloom with intention. Plant for beauty, plant for joy, plant for pollinators.

This is Spigelia marilandica — the show‑stopping Carolina Pink that brings hummingbirds zipping into your garden like ti...
06/08/2026

This is Spigelia marilandica — the show‑stopping Carolina Pink that brings hummingbirds zipping into your garden like tiny jeweled rockets!
With its striking red-and-yellow starburst blooms, this native wildflower lights up shady spots from late spring into early summer. It grows up to 2 ft tall, loves partial–full shade, and thrives in moist, rich, well‑drained soil. Bonus: it’s drought‑tolerant and wet‑soil‑tolerant — a true garden multitasker.
-Why gardeners adore it:�• Blooms open one at a time for a long, magical display�• A hummingbird magnet�• Great as a cut flower�• Performs beautifully in woodland gardens �and almost no pest or disease issues
-Fun fact with a twist:�This beauty is also known as Pinkroot or Wormgrass — and it contains compounds related to strychnine. So admire, grow, and enjoy… but don’t snack on it.
-Propagation tip:�Want seeds for next year? Tie a little netting over the green seed capsules to catch them as they ripen and drop.
-Conservation note:�Carolina Pink is considered threatened in in many states, so planting it helps support native biodiversity.
A botanical gem with history, color, and charisma — what’s not to love?

Meet Virginia Spiderwort ( Tradescantia virginiana) This clump‑forming perennial pops up in woodlands, meadows, streamba...
06/07/2026

Meet Virginia Spiderwort ( Tradescantia virginiana)
This clump‑forming perennial pops up in woodlands, meadows, streambanks, and shady gardens. Its blooms open in the morning, and closes in the evening, and keep coming for weeks. . Blooming occurs from March to early July. Ranges from blue and purple to pink and white.
It loves moist, fertile soil, grows in sun or shade, and is hardy from zones 4–9. Deadhead for bonus blooms, and cut it back after flowering for a fresh flush later in the season.
A few notes:�• It can spread by seed, so keep an eye on it�• Snails sometimes snack on new growth�• Most Tradescantia species can cause mild skin irritation and are toxic if eaten, so handle with care
Perfect for native gardens, rain gardens, woodland edges, and pollinator borders. A true spring show‑off.

Bigger isn’t always better… at least not with tomato plants! �When shopping for tomatoes this spring, skip the tall, bl...
06/05/2026

Bigger isn’t always better… at least not with tomato plants! �When shopping for tomatoes this spring, skip the tall, blooming giants. The best plants are actually the stocky, dark green ones — about 6–10 inches tall with stems as thick as a pencil.
Why avoid big plants with flowers or fruit?� Because early fruiting stunts growth and leads to a smaller harvest later. Choose the strong, compact starters and you’ll be swimming in tomatoes all summer.

Are you noticing a circle of dead grass in the middle of your ornamental grasses? 😅�Don’t worry — it’s totally normal! A...
06/04/2026

Are you noticing a circle of dead grass in the middle of your ornamental grasses? 😅�Don’t worry — it’s totally normal! As these grasses age, the centers naturally die out, leaving a ring of healthy growth around the edges.
That’s your cue for a little makeover:�Dig up the whole clump, remove the dead center, divide the healthy outer sections, and replant. Your grasses will come back looking fresh, full, and fabulous.

Thinking about tying or braiding your daffodil leaves after they bloom? Hold that thought! �As messy as they look, thos...
06/03/2026

Thinking about tying or braiding your daffodil leaves after they bloom? Hold that thought! �As messy as they look, those floppy leaves are busy at work. For 4–6 weeks after blooming, daffodil foliage is making food that gets stored in the bulb — and that’s what powers next spring’s flowers.
Tying or braiding the leaves reduces how much sunlight they get, which means smaller bulbs and fewer blooms next year. Let them soak up the sun until they naturally turn brown (usually late June or early July), then you can cut them back.
Happy bulbs = happy blooms!�

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UGA Putnam County Extension
Eatonton, GA
31024

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